Nigeria has formally applied to join the International Energy Agency (IEA) as an associate member government, signalling a move to deepen its engagement with global energy policy and transition frameworks.
Fatih Birol, IEA executive director, disclosed the development in a statement, revealing that the request was conveyed in a formal letter from Ekperikpe Ekpo, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (gas).
“Delighted to receive a formal request from the Government of Nigeria in a letter from Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo for Nigeria to join the IEA family as an associate member government,” Birol said.
He added that the agency looks forward to working with Nigeria on the next steps, describing the country as “a major energy producer and Africa’s most populous country.”
The move comes as Nigeria seeks to strengthen its position in global energy markets while balancing energy security, investment attraction and decarbonisation objectives.
Associate membership of the IEA would provide Nigeria with closer collaboration on energy data, policy coordination, technology development, market analysis and energy transition planning.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer and one of the continent’s biggest gas reserve holders, has increasingly positioned natural gas as a transition fuel under its “Decade of Gas” strategy.
The country has also been pursuing reforms across the oil, gas and electricity sectors aimed at boosting domestic energy supply, improving investment flows and expanding refining and gas infrastructure.
The IEA, headquartered in Paris, works with governments on energy security, clean energy transitions and global energy market stability. Its associate members include several major emerging economies outside the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
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